In September 2015 world leaders committed to a set of Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Over the next 15 years these goals could: end extreme poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change. Now comes the time for leaders to deliver a bold new international climate agreement; this will be the first test to their ambition for a better future for people and planet. We know that it is not possible to tackle poverty and inequality, unless we also tackle climate change. In order to prevent a 4 °C rise of temperature global leaders have met in Paris since the 30th of November till the 11th of December during a gathering known as the COP21. The goal of this gathering is to come up with a road map to gradually reduce greenhouse gas emissions by achieving a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the countries of the world.

Africa Unite Youth marching during the global climate march.

As part of our Action 2015 civil society global movement on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, on the 29th of November, day before the COP21 conference, Africa Unite in partnership with African Monitor and other NGO’s mobilized more than 1500 people to join the rest of the world in a Global Climate March from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to the National Parliament of South Africa and handed over a symbolic petition for climate change to the Premier and Mayor’s office.

The crowed taking turns to sign the petition which was later handed to the mayor’s office.

Over 700,000 people marched in 162 countries and sent a powerful message to world leaders gathered at the U.N demanding them to deliver an ambitious agreement. Development organisations, climate movements, young and old people, faith groups, indigenous people, trade unions and many more marched in Cape Town and around the world, calling on leaders to accelerate progress in the fight against climate change.

Youth from Khayelithsa township performing at the parliament.

This new agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries, will set the stage for the achievement of the global goals on climate action in the coming years, and can send a strong signal that the age of dirty fossil fuels is over and we are looking forward to a safer, fairer and more sustainable future for all.